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Friday, June 6, 2014

Vatican City, 6 June 2014 (VIS) – On
13 September Pope Francis will pray at the military monument of
Redipuglia, Italy, for those who have fallen in all wars, to
commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, “an
enormous tragedy about which I heard many painful stories from my
grandfather, who fought in the Battle of the Piave”. He announced
this at the end of his meeting in St. Peter's square with the
Carabinieri, Italy's military police corps, celebrating the
bicentenary of its foundation.

“Between the Carabinieri and the
people there exists a bond of solidarity, trust and dedication to the
common good”; said the Pope in his address. “The Carabinieri
'stations', present throughout the national territory, are points of
reference for collectivity, even in the most remote and peripheral
towns and villages. And this capillary presence requires you to
participate in the life of the community to which you belong, seeking
to be close to the problems faced by the people, especially the
weakest and those in difficulty. Your vocation is service”.

This vocation is made manifest in “the
protection of individuals and the environment, in action for
security, the respect for the rules for civil co-existence and the
common good; it is a concrete and constant commitment to the defence
of the rights and duties of individuals and communities. The
maintenance of public order and personal safety is an increasingly
current issue in a dynamic, open society committed to the protection
of civil rights and liberties, such as Italy, where you serve”.

Pope Francis went on to speak about the
history of the Carabinieri Corps, mentioning that it numbers among
its members the Servant of God Salvo d'Acquisto, who at the age of 23
in Palidoro, near Rome, “offered his young existence to save the
lives of innocent people from Nazi brutality”. He also commented on
their notable efforts beyond national borders as “peacemakers, to
ensure security, respect for human dignity and the defence of human
rights in countries racked by conflicts and tensions of every type”.
He concluded, “Never cease to give everywhere, in your homeland and
elsewhere, a clear and joyful witness of humanity, especially towards
the neediest and least fortunate”.